In new 2008 MINI Cooper Hardtop Base, there are body colored bumpers both at its front and rear. The car also has a roof spoiler at its rear. The tinted glass of the windows gives the car a great look. Again, it has power windows, which are provided with features like pinch protection and one-touch up & down. Carpet is provided both on the cargo area and the passenger cabin of the car. The manual air conditioning system fitted within the car keeps its inside air cool at most times.

2008 MINI Cooper Hardtop Base has comfortable leatherette seats. The car has provision for an easy entry seat. Its front seats are in the form of dual bucket type with options for adjustable height. The rear bench seat has a 50/50 split and it can be folded as and when needed. Adjustable headrests are provided with all the seats in the car.

Transmission system in 2008 MINI Cooper Hardtop Base is a a 6-speed manual one. The excellent steering control in the vehicle is due to pinion and power rack steering. The suspension in the front is an independent MacPherson strut suspension with the rear one being an independent multi-link Z-axle suspension. The springs and shock absorbers in the car improve its suspension system.

2008 MINI Cooper Hardtop Base has a competitive braking system. The force distribution in its brakes is done electronically. Again, all the four wheels in the car are provided with anti-lock brakes with ventilated power in the front and solid disc power brakes at the rear.

Airbags that deploy in dual stages are provided in the car for both the driver and the passenger, as a part of their safety features. There is also a device in the car that shuts off the fuel in case of a fire emergency to minimize the chance of burning. There are also crumple zones in the front and rear of the car.

Again, new 2008 MINI Cooper Hardtop Base is safeguarded against any attempts of theft by the help of the engine immobilizer. The anti-theft system also comprises of a radio in the car. All the doors in 2008 MINI Cooper Hardtop Base have power door locks. The car has some multi-function remote control that operates the fuel door, tailgate and doors.

With so many features incorporated on a single pair of wheels, it can be said that if you are driving 2008 MINI Cooper Hardtop Base, you are driving your passion.

Tech specs

Body: 2-door coupe

Engine: 1.6 liter I4 118 hp

Transmission: 6-speed manual (conventional) or VAR speed automatic (optional)

Torque: 114 units

Power: 118 hp

Tires: SBRP175/65R15 84 H-Rated

Verdict:

For: It is a convenient and stylish coupe from MINI Cooper with excellent fuel economy

Against: Sometimes jerks while it is driven on bumpy roads

The stylish 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible Base has a great look. Its appearance is further highlighted by the front and rear bumpers, which have the same color as its body. The car also has body-colored exterior rearview mirrors, which are power adjustable. Again, it has an anthracite trim on the interior along with a carpet covering on the cargo area & passenger cabin. The steering wheel in the car has been covered by sports quality leather.

2008 MINI Cooper Convertible Base boasts of a good seating system. Its front seats are of dual bucket type. The diver seat has the additional feature of an adjustable seat height. This allows people of any height to drive the car without any hassle. The rear seat is of bench type, which can be folded as and when required. The easy entry seat in the car is another feature worth mentioning. Headrests have been provided with all the seats. However, only headrests at the front seats can be adjusted.

The car has a 5-speed manual transmission, which comes along with an overdrive. Its transmission system is from Getrag. The suspension in the car is assisted by spring and shock absorbers at the front and the rear. The suspension is further improved by the stabilizer bar present at the rear of the car.

Though new 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible Base is a small convertible, it has driver and passenger airbags installed in it. There is also safety roll bars fitted with fixed hoops in the car. The car has a device fitted in it that cuts off the fuel for ensuring safety from any damage due to fire.

The anti-theft features of 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible Base including the engine immobilizer sees to it that your car is not stolen. The remote controlled features in the car include the release of the convertible top, the fuel door release, the tailgate release and the locking and unlocking of the doors.

The braking system in 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible Base is advanced. The car has a system to control the stability of the vehicle. The electronic brake-force distribution provides further assistance. There are ventilated disc brakes at the front and solid disc brakes at the rear end of the car. All the brakes in the car are power brakes.

The features of 2008 MINI Cooper Convertible Base has all the necessary features, which confirms the fact that it is going to start a new legacy in convertibles.

Tech specs

Body: 2-door convertible

Engine: 1.6 liter I4 115 hp

Transmission: 5 speed manual (standard) or VAR speed automatic transmission

Torque:  111 units

Power: 115 hp

Tires: SBRP175/65R15 84

Verdict:

For: Trendy look supported by comfortable driving experience

Against: Its transmission features should be improved to draw more buyers towards it

Some new and important features of the new 2008 MINI Cooper

The added doors on the latest MINI happen to be the most significant features. This new car has side opening doors and also a club door on the right side of the car. The space which is at the back of the front seats is pretty large and the doors in the rear make it much easier to put cargo into place. There is a lot more leg room for those sitting in the rear. The leg room is 3.2 inches more than in the previous model. The cargo space in the rear is 32.6 cubic feet with the seats in the rear folded and if they are raised, then it is 9.1 cubic feet to put the cargo in.

The seating features of the new MINI Cooper have front dual heated leather seats, which have 2 settings. There is an option of cloth and leather seats, English or Lounge panther leather seats or cloth seats.

Specifications and functions of the engine

The powerplant at the base is usually aspirated with a four cylinder 1.6 liter engine with a 120 pound horse power and a torque of 118 pound feet. This is coupled with a six speed manual or automatic gear box. This clubman version is capable of accelerating to a speed of 60 mph within 9.6 seconds and hitting 125 mph by means of the manual gear box.

Other features of the new MINI Cooper

The 2008 MINI Cooper is fitted with safety equipment like traction and stability control, anti lock brakes, airbags on the curtain, side and front. There are anti theft locks fitted via an alarm system on the doors.

For entertainment and comfort it has air conditioning and climate control, intermittent variable wipers, comfort key system, power mirrors and window and door locks Hi-Fi sound system and AM/FM/CD player. The MINI also has hands free Blue tooth communication, Navigation Aid and Sirius Satellite Radio.

The MINI has Multi-Function Steering Wheel with Cruise Control, and for transmission it has steering wheel mounted controls. It has remote releases and controls for comfort access card key and door opener for garage.

Exterior lighting has rear fog light, white turn signals and high intensity Xenon discharge lights.

Technical Specifications

Standard Engine: 1.6L I4

Standard Transmission: 6 Speed Manual

Cylinders: 4

Horsepower @ RPM: 172@5500

Torque @ RPM: 177@1600 (foot-lbs)

Fuel Economy City/High way: 26 / 34

Combined Fuel Economy: 29

Number of Valves: 16

Fuel Type/System: Gas Engine / Multi-Port Fuel Injected

Turbo (yes/no): Yes